Cleaning bearings

  • bluej58
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31 Jan 2012 12:36 - 31 Jan 2012 12:36 #501079 by bluej58
Cleaning bearings was created by bluej58
A 14.70 lb. box of parts just showed up from Z1 B)

I'm replacing all the bearing in the chassis except the Timkens that I installed in the tree around thirty years ago, I hope.

The bike has sat for the last twenty :whistle:

Yesterday I finally started to work on the front end and have some doubts about the roller bearings.
what would be a good product to soak them in , I am thinking white gas or kerosene.

I know that I should probably just swap them out but I still want to give them a shot.
I don't think that they are made in the US any more.

JD

78 KZ1000 A2A
Last edit: 31 Jan 2012 12:36 by bluej58.

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31 Jan 2012 13:32 #501084 by 531blackbanshee
Replied by 531blackbanshee on topic Cleaning bearings
gas,kerosene,solvent any of the above should work.look at the races to make sure they are not pitted from sitting.if not grease em and roll em :lol: .

leon

skiatook,oklahoma 1980 z1r,1978 kz 1000 z1r x 3,
1976 kz 900 x 3
i make what i can,and save the rest!

billybiltit.blogspot.com/

www.kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/325862-triple-tree-custom-work

kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/294594-frame-bracing?limitstart=0

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  • z1kzonly
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31 Jan 2012 13:38 - 31 Jan 2012 13:42 #501086 by z1kzonly
Replied by z1kzonly on topic Cleaning bearings
Yes, thats a start. Then use a can of any type of "Brake Clean Solvent" and compressed air.
If the races are good and smooth your good to go, grease em. New KZ set is under $40 on ebay.
I just put a set in a frame last week.
Nothing like them!

Livin in "CheektaVegas, NY
Went thru 25 of these in 40 yrs.
I SOLD OUT! THE KAW BARN IS EMPTY.
More room for The Old Girl, Harley 75 FLH Electra Glide,
Old faithful! Points ign. Bendix Orig. carb.
Starts everytime!

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Last edit: 31 Jan 2012 13:42 by z1kzonly. Reason: add picture

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31 Jan 2012 14:45 #501092 by MFolks
Replied by MFolks on topic Cleaning bearings
www.goallballs.com seems to carry most bearings.

1982 GPZ1100 B2
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)

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  • bluej58
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31 Jan 2012 20:23 - 31 Jan 2012 20:24 #501157 by bluej58
Replied by bluej58 on topic Cleaning bearings
Thanks guys,
It looks like the bearings and races are fine but it seems that I only have the bottom seal in place, no top seal ???

And I don't think I can get the bottom bearing off with out damaging it.
They use a puller in the manual.

Is that bottom seal under the bearing ?
It looks like it's all rubber, nothing like those beauties in z1kzonly's post.

JD

78 KZ1000 A2A
Last edit: 31 Jan 2012 20:24 by bluej58.

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02 Feb 2012 09:32 #501512 by Breaker19
Replied by Breaker19 on topic Cleaning bearings

bluej58 wrote: A 14.70 lb. box of parts just showed up from Z1 B)

I'm replacing all the bearing in the chassis except the Timkens that I installed in the tree around thirty years ago, I hope.

The bike has sat for the last twenty :whistle:

Yesterday I finally started to work on the front end and have some doubts about the roller bearings.
what would be a good product to soak them in , I am thinking white gas or kerosene.

I know that I should probably just swap them out but I still want to give them a shot.
I don't think that they are made in the US any more.

JD


Please don't use Gasoline. That is very dangerous. Stick with a solvent that is a combustible liquid, not a flammable liquid. Gasoline, you guessed it, is a Flammable Liquid. Kerosene is good, I myself use paint thinner. Get it from Lowes in the big, metal container. Works great on chains, too. Stay away from White Gas for this also, that's very dangerous. I just don't want to hear about anyone riding a bed in the burn unit, rather than riding their bike on the road. Be careful! BTW, I'm a Firefighter at the rank of Lieutenant, Fire Inspector and Paramedic.

2003 Suzuki DR650 Dual-Sport
1982 KZ1100A2 - GONE! Traded-in for a '12 Concours 14
www.facebook.com/pages/Moto-Resto/169238286503527

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02 Feb 2012 10:24 #501521 by Patton
Replied by Patton on topic Cleaning bearings
WD40 also serves as a good cleaning solvent.

Good Fortune! :)

1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD

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02 Feb 2012 11:11 #501530 by Kidkawie
Replied by Kidkawie on topic Cleaning bearings
Leave the lower bearing on the steering stem. Just use a brush and solvent to clean out the old grease. If you don't have a parts wash, you can make one using a 5 gallon pail w/lid and a couple cans of MINERAL SPIRITS which is sold in the paint department. Then all you need is a brush.

When you clean those tapered bearings you need to do it in 2 stages. First clean, then blow out as much old grease as possible, then clean again and blow dry. You'll never get it all out the first time. Only bitch is repacking with the bottom tree installed.

1975 Z1 900
1994 KX250 Supermoto
2004 KX125

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  • bluej58
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02 Feb 2012 20:35 - 03 Feb 2012 11:43 #501605 by bluej58
Replied by bluej58 on topic Cleaning bearings
I ended up using WD-40 to soften up the old grease, then engine degreaser , then I flushed them out with brake cleaner and a coat of WD again just to protect them until I'm ready for a final cleaning and grease packing before I put it back together.

In the mean time I taped up the bottom bearing for protection and started removing the rust and crud from the lower tree to get it ready for paint.

The bearings seem to work smoothly after a good cleaning so I'm going to reuse them .

Breaker19 , thank you for your concerns, I'm with you, if I were to use anything super flammable it would be done out side.
Most of my chemical work is done out there anyways , like using the engine and brake cleaners.
I don't like breathing that stuff either :sick:

Thanks everyone,

JD

78 KZ1000 A2A
Last edit: 03 Feb 2012 11:43 by bluej58. Reason: I felt like it

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